Hilton has secured the top position on the Fortune and Great Place To Work World’s Best Workplaces list for the second year in a row, marking the third time the hospitality giant has claimed the title. This achievement, announced in 2026, solidifies the company’s standing as the only hospitality organization to ever top this specific global ranking. The company has maintained a presence on the World’s Best Workplaces list for 11 consecutive years, having first appeared in 2016. Source
The latest recognition is based on confidential feedback from the company’s workforce of approximately 500,000 team members across 144 countries and territories. In 2026, Hilton also attained Great Place To Work rankings in 73 different countries. Notably, the firm achieved No. 1 rankings in 21 of those countries during this single cycle, establishing an all-time record for the company. Regional accolades were also awarded, with Hilton being named the top workplace in Europe, Asia, and Latin America. Source
Frontline Career Development and Growth
Internal data released by the company highlights the prevalence of career progression from entry-level positions. Approximately 93% of Hilton hotel leaders started their professional journeys in frontline roles, and 67% reached their initial management position within three years of beginning. Furthermore, 43% of the corporate workforce has experience working onsite at a hotel at some point. In 2025, about 61% of leadership roles at both the hotel and corporate levels were filled by internal candidates. Source
To support its growth, the company reports that it has added an estimated 130,000 team members globally across managed, franchised, and corporate roles in 2026. This recruitment effort follows a rapid expansion strategy that saw the company open nearly two hotels per day on average over the past year. Since 2022, Hilton has facilitated over 3.1 million opportunities for learning and career advancement, including training, mentoring, language programs, and tuition-free education offerings. Source
Employee benefits remain a core component of the company’s workplace strategy. Over 90% of team members report that they receive unique benefits, such as the Go Hilton travel program, which offers discounted room rates. Additional perks include the Thrive Sabbatical and Thrive Reset programs, which provide financial support and paid time off to help staff recharge, pursue personal interests, or contribute to their communities through volunteer work. Source
In the Southeast Asia region, Hilton retained its status as the highest-ranked hospitality employer, placing No. 2 overall on the 2026 Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For™ Southeast Asia list. This list aggregates feedback from over 1.3 million employees across ten countries. The company also secured individual country-level top rankings in Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, and Malaysia, while reaching No. 2 in Indonesia and No. 4 in the large-company category in Singapore. Source
The company’s workforce initiatives in the region include the South East Asia Management Trainee Program, which is designed to nurture emerging hospitality talent. Other regional efforts include the GoFlexi! flexible work arrangement and the Care for All initiative, which supports wellbeing and caregiving. These programs are tailored to help team members manage their professional responsibilities while accommodating personal life needs. Source
Inclusive employment is specifically supported through programs like the Brighter Together initiative at the DoubleTree by Hilton Phuket Banthai Resort. Developed with the Phuket Panyanukul School, the program introduces students with disabilities to career paths in hospitality. Participants often progress into full-time roles, such as the food and beverage attendant position held by Winyoo Saengjae, who joined in 2023 and was recognized as the hotel's Team Member of the Month in March 2026. Source
Regional Initiatives and Employee Feedback
In the Australasia market, Hilton was recently named the number one Best Workplace in New Zealand. Stephanie Lopesi, regional head of human resources for Australasia, credits this outcome to a focus on listening to the specific needs and goals of staff members. By engaging directly with employees on the hotel floor, the HR leadership has been able to develop a Top 10% Talent framework, which focuses on identifying, developing, and mobilizing high-performing individuals. Source
Lopesi emphasizes that career development conversations must be actionable rather than just documentation. The regional HR team has introduced several initiatives during the past year to address feedback regarding flexibility and professional support. These include the Front Office Summit, an updated Flexibility 2.0 program, and investments in new hotel operating systems. The objective is to ensure that team members at properties like the Hilton Queenstown Resort & Spa can clearly articulate their professional aspirations. Source
The company’s approach to global hiring and retention is heavily influenced by the expectation of growth. With plans to fill at least 30,000 new roles across the Asia Pacific region over the next five years, the focus is on creating long-term career paths. Management underscores that providing development and wellbeing support is not only an employee benefit but also a critical factor in maintaining the quality of guest experiences provided at its properties. Source
Surveys conducted by Morning Consult on behalf of Hilton found that 75% of respondents believe customer-facing skills are difficult for technology to replicate. Furthermore, 66% of people agree that frontline positions offer a more effective pathway into a company compared to typical corporate entry-level roles. This perspective aligns with the company’s internal findings that human-centric roles are becoming increasingly valued in a work environment undergoing rapid technological changes. Source
